A SPECIAL golf tournament will take place this spring to remember and celebrate the life of a Bolton police officer who died ten years ago.

Garry Mathieson lost his brave battle against cancer on January 13, 2005, aged just 42.

To date more than £9,000 has been raised in his memory to help those with the illness through an annual charity golf tournament — a sport the men in the family enjoyed playing together.

Mr Mathieson, who was a dog-handler based at Bury, fought stomach cancer for eight months and carried on working until three months before he died.

Every year since his family have celebrated his memory and in his name made a positive difference with his brother Neil, who lives in Ainsworth, coming up with the idea of a charity golf tournament.

Neil had planned to hold the tournament for 10 years as the family had set a goal of raising £10,000 for charity in Mr Mathieson’s name.

This year will be the final Annual Charity Golf tournament — but the family say they will continue to celebrate Garry’s life with a family golf day in the future.

Neil said: ‘We are hoping to raise £10,000 after this year’s golf tournament which is on Tuesday , May 12th at Breightmet Golf Club; the family would like to thank Breightmet Golf Club for their ongoing support over the years.”

Mr Mathieson's youngest brother Lee, aged 39 from Astley Bridge, added: "Garry was a great brother and role model for me when growing up. We are proud to have made a difference to other people facing the heartbreak of cancer through our fundraising and in some way carry on Garry’s legacy. I know this is what Garry would have wanted."

Mr Mathieson’s mum Pauline, aged 71, who lives in Astley Bridge, said: “It has been ten years since our son passed away with cancer. Garry went to the Art school, after which he joined the RAF for nine and half years then started at Greater Manchester Police as a dog handler. He played rugby for Bolton Sedgely Park.

“A day does not go by that we don’t think of Garry, he is missed so much by all his family.”

Friend and colleague PC Chris Boardman added: “Garry was an excellent police officer and well-liked by his colleagues in the force. I was very sad, as was all the force, when Garry got ill and tragically passed away. I still remember him from his very first shift and think of him fondly.”

Mr Mathieson — dad to 21-year-old Rory and 19-year-old Ewan Mathieson — was born in Bolton where he lived until moving to Darwen in 2004.